Grace That Conquers

Psalm 148:3-6

All the heavenly bodies have their God-given places and move in a divinely prescribed course. Therefore man can tell just when the sun shall arise or set on a particular day in the future, and when the moon shall be full, or a new moon appears. God has it all under His perfect control. And the psalmist declares this in Psalm 148:3-6 with these words, "Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him all ye stars of light, Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree that shall not pass."

Note that they came into being by His command, were established by Him, and made by a decree that shall not pass away. And since this is true of His work of creating, how much more wonderful and comforting is it to know that what He does in His grace comes by a command, and not by a wish, is established, and cannot be made to pass away or fail by man and his sinful will.

Why then should we say that God pleads with man to accept Christ, rather than that He commands it, and that man decides how many God will save? Look at the last verse of the Psalm which is versified thus (PRC Psalter):

    By all let God be praised, 
    For He alone is great;
    Above the earth and heav'n
    He reigns in glorious state;
    Praise Him, ye saints, 
    Who know His grace
    And ever dwell before His face.

How comforting to know that all those who were eternally written in the Lamb's book of life will irresistibly be drawn by God's grace out of unbelief into faith, and out of spiritual death into everlasting spiritual life.

Surely we have undeniable reason to praise God for the salvation which He works in us by irresistible grace.  Do that then today and every day of your life here below. You will do that in glory.

Read: Romans 9:1-21 
Psalter versification: #404:5

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Joshua 9:3-27 ; Joshua 10 
Luke 16:19-31 ; Luke 17:1-10 
Psalm 83:1-18 
Proverbs 13:4 
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Quote for Reflection:

… the afflictions and vexations of the pious have little or nothing of bitterness, if compared with the boundless blessings of everlasting glory. -- John Calvin